A video aired putting over Randy Orton’s path of destruction over the past few months before cutting into Jericho stuff. Opening Pyro. JR yelling a lot. Raw is on.

Triple H’s music hit and he came out to the entrance ramp.

Triple H & Jeff Hardy v. Umaga & Snitsky

Snitsky and Hardy started things off. Snitsky tossed Hardy aside like a baby before Hardy realized the whole strength thing sorta sucked for him so he tagged in Triple H. The two locked horns and struggled. Snitsky broke with a shoulder thrust but missed a follow up in the opposite corner and crashed into the ring post. Triple H yanked on the arm before tagging in Jeff who came flying off the top with an axe handle.

Jeff dumped Snitsky to the outside and hit him with a drop kick. He ducked out of the way of the oncoming Umaga who sailed over the top rope and to the floor. Hardy went for a cross body on both, but was caught easily. Triple H saw this all transpire of course, and elected to fling himself off the apron to give Hardy the weight advantage he needed. The faces were standing tall in the ring while the heels regrouped as we went to commercial.

****Commercial****

We came back to Jeff Hardy desperately trying fight off Umaga who just picked him up and did his whirly bird side slam that left Hardy in pieces on the mat. Snitsky tagged in and hit a suplex for a near fall before gathering the tiny champ and grabbed a double under hook reverse full nelson thingy.

Snitsky slammed him before tagging in Umaga. Umaga buried a series of kicks into Hardy’s chest before taking his head off with a wheel kick for a two count. Umaga briefly grabbed the old shoulder vice before electing to give Snitsky the opportunity to inflict some more pain.

Snitsky missed a clothesline and Hardy hit a drop kick, dazing Snitsky. Snitsky cut off the hot tag but got duffed with a mule kick and the Game got the tag. Umaga received one himself and he and Triple H went at it. Triple H capped a big rally with a clothesline for a two count before hitting the face buster followed by a spine buster. He went for a pedigree, but Snitsky came roaring in with a clothesline attempt.

Triple H countered and went for a pedigree on Snitsky but got cut off by Umaga. Snitsky and Triple H brawled on the outside while Umaga was busy mauling Jeff Hardy. The Game pulled Hardy out of the way and Hardy hit a whisper in the wind. Triple H pounced and connected with a pedigree followed by a Jeff Hardy swanton bomb for the win. Fun ending sequence there.

Winners: Triple H & Jeff Hardy via pin fall

Raw GM William Regal’s music hit and he came out to the ring. Regal congratulated them on their victory. He said he wanted to see both in action at Armageddon. He said Hardy wouldn’t be defending his championship, instead, he’d be going one on one with Triple H.

A big limo pulled up to the arena and out steps Ric Flair.

****Commercial****

Ric Flair’s music hit and he came out to the ring.

Flair got a huge, huge pop and he thanked the crowd. He said there was a lot of discussion as to why he chose his hometown to make this announcement tonight. He said the crowd has been too good to him there for him not to choose this as the place to make the announcement. Tears welled up in Flair’s eyes.

He said there was a reason he hadn’t been wrestling for six months. He said he knew and the fans knew his career couldn’t go on forever. He said he’s had a lot of time to think about his future. He said he’s compared himself to Cal Ripkin and Bret Farve, two athletes who were iron men. He said tonight in front of everyone and the world, that he WOULD NEVER RETIRE. HE WON’T RETIRE UNTIL HE”S DEAD. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHO CARES WHAT HE’S SAYING FLAIR SAYS SHUT UP IDIOTS! WOOOOO! JUICE!

Vince McMahon’s music hit and he came down to the ring.

Flair doesn’t look thrilled. Vince said Ric had him going. He was thrilled that Flair wouldn’t retire and he was a pretty good piece of property. He said he could keep going on as long as he could keep on winning. He said the first match he loses, his career would be over.

Vince said he didn’t care how it happened, the next time he lost, he was done. He said he hoped Ric didn’t die anytime soon. Randy Orton’s music hit and out to the ring he comes. The WWE Champion stared down Flair in the ring. Orton came out to thank him, thanking him for all the advice and his friendship during his formative years. Orton thanked him for the legend he’s become. He wanted to thank him in advance for the honor and pleasure of ending his career tonight. Vince has made the match. Flair v. Orton with Flair’s career on the line.

Crazy and Rory started things off. Crazy grabbed an arm wringer before tagging in Duggan. Duggan hit some clubbing blows and tagged in Rhodes who drove an elbow into the shoulder of the Scotsman.

Rory hit a cheap shot before tagging in Lance Cade. Cade hammered the shoulder of Rhodes and flung him into the ring post. The two duked it out in the corner before getting cut off and slapped into an arm bar. Murdoch tagged in and began clubbing away before slapping on a key lock on the youngster.

Rhodes broke free of the hold and hot tagged Hardcore Holly who flat backed Robbie a few times with rights and then dispatching him with a clothesline. Holly hit a drop kick for a near fall before all hell broke loose. Holly ended up in the ring alone with Robbie and kicked him in the junk. He loaded up the Alabama slam and connected for the win.

Jeff Hardy is with Todd Grisham and talking about what an honor it’d be facing the Game at Armageddon. Triple H stepped in and said he wasn’t good at the friends thing. He said there was a reason he was the best. At Armageddon, he’d be stepping in the ring with the Game.

Jim Ross ran down the events of last week between Shawn Michaels and Mr. Kennedy.

Kennedy’s on the stick more or less in the back. He put over HBK’s DVD that’s coming out tomorrow. Kennedy figured he’d save HBK the cheap shill and give us his take on things. He said this three disc set had everything in HBK’s career: His turning on all his partners, HBK coming up short in all his main event matches and that wasn’t all. He said not only was Shawn good at losing matches, he was good at losing his, uh, smile. Touching Kennedy says. He said there wasn’t all heartbreak, there was triumph too! He said there was HBK whining, complaining and politicking his way into main event status despite talented, hungry main event talent that had surpassed him. He said people would be enriched by the DVD. They would see his incredible highs and abysmal lows. He said nothing though, would compare to the lows he’d feel when he stepped into the ring with Mr. Kennedy.

Chris Jericho speaks next!

****Commercial****

Flair is in the back with Arn Anderson and Barry f-ing Windham.

Jericho time.

Jericho said the second coming of Y2J was here. He said there was only one way to Rock and that was the way he rocked. He said he was here to save us from Orton and become WWE Champion. He said everyone except Randy Orton knew Jericho wanted a WWE title match. He didn’t receive a response from Orton because he was an idiot. He said he’d ask it shortly and Orton-ize it. Me Want Title Match.

Jericho said even if Mr. O didn’t get it he brought visual aides. The WWE title belt, a match stick and Cookie monster were all used. Yes, I said Cookie monster. Jericho said he was going to stay in the ring all night until he got his answer.

Santino Marella’s music hit and here comes glorious mic work. Marella is talking. In other news, the sun came up. He called Jericho K-YJ. Good lord. Jericho has a Lindsay Lohan hair cut as well. Jericho said he was embarrassed. He didn’t know who he was. He knew Freddy the popcorn guy, Lillian, Steve the camera guy…Jericho insulted Marella’s name a bunch of times before Santino reminded him who his name was.

He said Orton didn’t give him an answer because he didn’t deserve a title match and he’d prove it right now. Jericho said ok. Santino said he hadn’t wrestled for three years and he didn’t want to fight him. Jericho said he did. Santino rolled out of the ring and let us all know he would be squat thrusting to warm up. Awesome.

Out of nowhere, Santino said he was going to give him something to think about and jumped King at the announce table. Santino’s going to warm up so we can have a match.

****Commercial****

Chris Jericho v. Santino Marella

Jericho put the hurt on Santino early, chopping his nipples off before hitting a vertical suplex. Santino hit a throat thrust but ended up eating a thumb to the eye in short order. Jericho hit a high back body drop and a spring board drop kick to send Santino out to the outside.

Jericho followed him to the outside and pummeled him some more before tossing him back into the ring and mapping out some big kicks to the gut. Jericho kept up the pressure but Santino held up on a whip attempt and Jericho landed on his back. Santino mounted him and nailed him with some forearms and stomps to the mid section.

Santino got a brief pinning spot before hitting a back suplex and getting a full one count this time. Santino put on a high bear hug in a cross face position before Jericho fought to his feet and killed him with a stiff lariat. Jericho hit some body slams before hitting an atomic drop followed by a bulldog.

Jericho lined Santino up and hit a back-cracker like double knees to the face and absolutely mauled the shrimpy Italian. That’s all she wrote folks.

Winner: Chris Jericho via pin fall

After the match, Jericho invited Lawler into the ring. Lawler, never shy to take advantage of a situation, waited for Santino to rise to his feet before hitting him with PUNCHES~ and flattening him with a pair of knee lifts. Lawler mounted the second rope and FIST DROP!!!!!!!! I love Lawler.

I guess Jericho is calling the new finisher the ‘Code Breaker’. Jericho’s on the commentary team and he wants a title match. Still.

****Commercial****

Shawn Michaels hugged Ric Flair in the back. Michaels said he came here to watch him. He said Orton was on a roll lately, he knew better than anyone. He said though, that he was the Nature Boy. This is Charlotte. He said he was the 16 time champion. He said he was the one and only legend this industry would ever, ever have. He said he was the wheeling’, dealing’, kiss stealing’ greatest wrestler ever. He said to be the man, he had to beat him. He said tonight. Just tonight…. He couldn’t do it.

Flair thanked him for his respect and the bond they’ve had. He said he’d give us everything he had and if he goes out, it’ll be in a blaze of glory. HBK looked off solemnly as Flair walked off, as not looking too sure.

****Commercial****

Mr. Kennedy v. Brian Kendrick

The two locked it up and Kendrick grabbed a side headlock before Kennedy threw him to his back. He slapped Kendrick to the ropes only for Kendrick to come back at him with an ultra quick drop kick. The momentum was short lived though, as Kennedy flat backed him with a lariat.

Kennedy hit a sling shot off the bottom rope before gathering him and hitting a nasty STO for the win. It’s officially “Everyone debut a new finisher” night.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy via pin fall

Kennedy said that was just a little sample of what we’d see on HBK’s next DVD or everyone could watch it live and in person at Armageddon. Kennedy reminded us who he was, as if we forgot.

****Commercial****

Vince was with Hornswoggle. He went over the events of the past few weeks with his son. He talked about Finlay and Khali and said they should have a match. Finlay as giant killer may make me explode from the awesomeness of the thought. He dismissed his son before saying “Mr. Rogers has left the neighborhood” over a walky talky.

Hornswoggle is walking around the back and goes to get an ice cream sandwich. Carlito’s waiting for him in the locker room. Carlito cornered him before Hornswoggle sprays paint on a door on the wall and ran through it. Carlito’s baffled. We all are. Carlito made a run at it and slammed up against the door. Ron Simmons happens to walk in and we get a damn.

Melina is getting ready for a match with Mickie James in a #1 contender’s match for the women’s title.

****Commercial****

#1 Contender’s Match for the Women’s ChampionshipMickie James v. Melina

Beth Phoenix is at ringside for the match in case you care.

The lesbian-ish looks are glorious.

The two locked it up and Melina grabbed an arm wringer. Mickie kicked out and hit a forearm before Melina returned the favor. Melina hit a kick to the face for a one count before Mickie came firing back with a hard irish whip. Melina got her furry boots up though and went to the second rope. Mickie cut her off and chucked her across the ring.

Mickie wasted no time and hit the thesz press and some punches for a one count before Melina caught a roll up. Melina bum rushed her to the corner and hit some forearms before Mickie hit the good old head scissors. Mickie loaded up a ridiculous implant DDT and good lord, it’s Mickie-Beth at Armageddon.

Winner: Mickie James via pin fall

Mickie blew Beth a kiss after the match.

Naitch is in his Monday best and on his way to the ring. Everyone’s clapping for him in the back as he’s on the way to the ring. Triple H came up to him and shook his hand. He told him to show us who he is. Here we go.

****Commercial****

Randy Orton v. Ric Flair

Flair’s wearing Red. Nothing could be better.

The two locked up and Orton grabbed an arm wringer but Flair fought back with some chops. He tossed Orton off the ropes and hit a back body drop. Flair tortured Orton with chops in the corner before hitting Orton in the junk and then chopping him some more.

Flair hit a back elbow before stepping on Orton’s face. Go Naitch. Flair hit another knife edge chop before reigning down right hands on Flair’s dome. Orton hit a thunderous European uppercut for a two count. Orton hit a back body drop of his own before going for another cover but Flair kicked out before we got a count.

Orton tried to set Flair up for a suplex but INSIDE CRADLE! Two count. Orton exploded out of the pin attempt and killed Flair with a lariat. Flair fought back with two chops but the champion floored him with another right hand and stomped on Flair on the mat.

Orton hit a stomp to the gut before going into the brutal Garvin stomp sequence. Orton worked over the leg a little extra before missing a knee drop. Flair’s got another opening and fought back with a chop. Orton ducked under a clothesline and hit a drop kick for another near fall.

Orton hit another standing drop kick for a two count before gathering Flair and slapping on a rear chin lock. Orton cranked the hold into a side headlock and Flair fights back again. Flair couldn’t follow up though and Orton clotheslined him to the outside.

Orton followed him to the outside where the two brawler around the ring for a bit before Orton uncorked a vertical suplex to the floor. Orton rolled into the ring and Flair’s gotta beat the count! The crowd is seriously rallying Flair and here comes Naitch. Flair rolls into the ring!

Orton dragged him into the middle and dropped a leg drop and went for another cover and Flair kicked out. Orton went right back to the headlock, wearing down the older Flair. The crowd is on it’s feet and rallying Flair again. Flair fought to his feet and countered with a back suplex, buying himself some time.

Orton went for an RKO but Flair tossed him into the ropes and hit a series of chops and a WICKED chop block. Flair followed up with another one and it’s TIME TO GO TO SCHOOL!!!! Flair lied. He picked Orton up and dropped him on his shins and went right for the FIGURE FOUR!!

Orton’s in trouble! Orton barely reached the ropes to break the hold. Flair went for it again and Orton kicked him off. Orton hits an RKO and after writhing in pain he went for the cover. Flair gets the hand on the ropes.

Orton pummeled Flair on his back with right hands before the ref pulled him off. Orton continued the assault as the crowd was going banana boats for him. Orton continued to hammer away on Flair on the mat.

Orton picked up Flair and went for another RKO. Jericho showed up from nowhere and Flair hit the HUGE low blow and rolls him up! HAND FULL OF TIGHTS! FLAIR WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WINNER: RIC FLAIR!!!!!!!!!!

Flair walked up the ramp looking like he had about 50 martinis while Jericho stared down the Champion in the ring.

RAW THOUGHTS

Show Thoughts-- This was an utterly sensational Raw. Everything was great. Everything.

WWE works their Monday night show best when they set something up in the beginning and use it as the frame work for the rest of the show. Flair-Orton was as dramatic a main event as I can remember on Raw. In terms of ‘quality’ it was what it was, but that’s not what matters, nor should it. This whole Flair winning streak thing is about the best thing they could’ve possibly gone with as a swan song for his career. Every near fall was off the chain for him tonight and as a young boy who idolized Flair growing up, it’s nice to have a real hero again, if only for a little while. Sure, I’m sure smarks will revile Orton losing the match, but it doesn’t hurt him. It was a solid way of weaving two separate storylines together. It’s amazing what wrestling can be when you stop worrying about crap like storyline progression, move execution and other stuff.

The rest of the show was basically used to lay the foundation for Armageddon, which is going to be insanely strong. In a way, it’s a lot like Fully Loaded 2000 where we got a lot of present v. future stars matches that all produced. We’ve got Kennedy-HBK, Triple H-Hardy and Mickie James-Beth Phoenix already on the card, the last of which might be one of the most anticipated women’s title matches in a long time. It’s all capped off with a super main event in Orton v. Jericho.

Speaking of Jericho, I think a lot of his success hinges on how motivated he is. I’ve seen Jericho at times look like he’s the best wrestler on the planet (literally) and other times where he’s stunk out the joint. Jericho in 2000-2001 was sensational, while Jericho in 04-05 was pretty hit and miss. Tonight he looked as motivated as I’ve seen him. He was super crisp and really looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. He was funny on the mic while maintaining his rather campy and corny persona. A motivated Jericho could mean big things on Raw for a good, long while, so here’s to hoping.

I’m also very stoked about the Hardy-Triple H match coming up at Armageddon. I don’t think Hardy will win but whether he does or not is really all irrelevant. If he gives Triple H a good run for his money and puts on a quality match with one of the company’s biggest acts, I think he’ll come out the winner iregardless of the result. At this point, it’s the perfect stopping point for him.

Kennedy-HBK is also good booking. Michaels needs a win and Kennedy really needs to screw his head back on in the ring and if anyone can do that, it’ll be Michaels. They’re doing a good job so far, letting Kennedy loose on the mic, which is his strength. HBK just has to take it and punish him at the pay per view.

Really on the whole, this is as strong a Raw as I’ve seen all year. Sure, the match quality wasn’t there, but in terms of a stand alone show, this was sensational. The show was booked right for the crowd, a ton of guys got matches tonight, we got some good action, great promo work and the key piece every good wrestling show NEEDS, and that was a TON of drama.

WWE Champion: Randy Orton 18-25-2 45pts. (Last Week: WWE Champion) -- Orton puts in another super heel performance, despite losing to Flair. It doesn’t hurt him, in fact I think it helped him. It gives a primary motivation for the Jericho feud which is sorta what they need right now.

Intercontinental Champion: Jeff Hardy 37-14, 69 points (Last Week: IC Champion)— Hardy’s solid work for the year gets rewarded with a date with Triple H at Armageddon. It’s a big test for him, so we’ll see how they and more specifically HARDY, handle the program over the next few weeks.

1. Triple H 15-4, 35pts (Last Week: 1) -- Triple H keeps on looking strong so there’s no real reason to bump him down. Hardy’s a good program to get him on track and back in line for another crack at the belt.

2. Shawn Michaels 14-8-1, 26 points (Last Week: 2) —More or less a quiet night for Michaels, giving me no real reason to move him up or down. He stays put for now.

3. Umaga 21-21-1, 44 Points (Last Week: 3) — Beginning to meander a bit it seems. I’d love to see him as the guy facing Flair at the pay per view though. Flair finding a way to survive against Umaga in a short match would probably be best.

4. Ken Kennedy 6-13-1, 12 pts (Last Week: 4)-- Kennedy deserves to get bumped up a spot because of his solid promo work tonight. He had a fun little squash with Kendrick and a win is a win. A win with a great promo though, equals a good night that should be rewarded.

5. Hardcore Holly 5-2, 8 pts. (Last Week: 8) — Holly gets the big pin fall and thus far looks to be the guy to beat in the lower mid card which is ok by me. He leap frogs three guys with the pin fall tonight and lands his highest spot in the rankings in a LONG time

6. Cody Rhodes 10-6 16pts. (Last Week: 7) -- A fairly quiet night for Cody as he doesn’t do a whole lot. He gets pushed up a bit and to his highest ranking to date, but he’s still light years away from the top guys on the show.

7. Trevor Murdoch 10-18, 19pts. (Last Week: 5)-- Honestly, I’m a little surprised these guys are constantly kept on the back burner. Given the attention the women’s division has received recently and the development of the mid card as a whole, you’d FIGURE that the tag division would get some kick back from that, but so far nothing.

8. Lance Cade 11-17, 18pts. (Last Week: 6)-- See Murdoch.

9. Chris Jericho 1-0, 2 pts. (Last Week: NR)-- Man, Jericho looked good tonight. I’m very big on the new finisher as well. To be a main event guy, ya gotta have that impact sorta finisher. Everything looks good for Jericho though and I’m sure he’ll continue to work his way up the ladder.

10. Jerry Lawler 3-1, 6pts. (Last Week: 9) -- I’m going to keep Lawler in the top 10 because I can. Seriously though, no one punches like this guy. No one.